Posted on December 19, 2024
GEORGETOWN — A $37 million dredging project is planned for Murrells Inlet, but Georgetown County officials say they need additional funding to pay for it while environmentalists have concerns about its potential impact on the ecosystem.
The dredging would cover the inlet’s creeks and small waterways. It would remove sediment buildup, making waterways easier for commercial fishing boats and recreational vessels to navigate.
The county has already received over $14 million in state money to begin the designing and permitting process. But earlier this month, Georgetown County leaders asked state Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, R-Murrells Inlet, and state Rep. Lee Hewitt, R-Murrells Inlet, for help getting another $12.7 million.
“It’s very expensive, very tedious work,” said Ray Funnye, the county’s public services director.
The county has committed $5 million of its own dollars to the project, and local officials hope that Horry County will contribute another $5 million.
Regular dredging should be done every 10 to 15 years, Funnye said. It’s a routine process, but the new project is expected to be much larger than those in years past.
“This project is a lot more comprehensive, which means that it’s encompassing more of the channels than we did before,” he said.
The dredging would be divided into three parts, with one portion being completed each year for three years.
Some environmentalists have expressed concerns about how the project could affect the area’s ecosystem, especially with its larger scope.
The S.C. Environmental Law Project outlined its objections during the project’s public comment period, said Monica Whalen, an attorney with the group. The organization is particularly worried about how oyster beds and salt marshes could be affected.
